Agenda - 08-30-1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r 2J The Chapel Hill staff concern is that this flexibility would be achieved at the expense of increased densities and numbers of dwellings over what was envisioned in the Joint Planning Agreement and Joint Planning-Area Land Use Plan. The position of Orange County and Carrboro staffs in this matter is that the increase that might be seen in number of dwellings is very slight, and that any increase would be offset by the flexibility granted - yielding a more sensitive site design. Another approach might be to allow the averaging of lots as provided, but provide that the balance of land not be placed into larger lots - but into permanent open space. In such a manner, the flexibility to create slightly smaller lots might be permitted, but there would be no larger lots to offset the smaller -- with regulation lot sizes and permanent open space making up the balance. If the averaging provision is adopted, one specific concern to be addressed at the ordinance level is the provision of conditions on recorded subdivision plats that prohibit larger lots (created in the balance of averaging) from re- subdividing into smaller lots. 4. ONE -ACRE LOTS FOR EXISTING LOTS OF RECORD (OC, CH, CA) As a means of addressing hardships and simplifying subdivision procedures for property owners not wishing to completely develop their land, the Rural Character Study Committee has proposed that all existing lots of record in the Rural Buffer (New Hope basin) as of the creation date for the Rural Buffer district (1/6/1987) be allowed to create up to two (2) one -acre lots. All three of the planning staffs agree that the allowance of all such tracts to create two one -acre lots might be damaging to the concept and function of the Rural Buffer. Staff analysis shows that over 330 tracts would have this option available - potentially creating 660 new lots and introducing close to 1700 persons into the Rural Buffer over what was envisioned in the Joint Land Use Plan. While the staffs realize that not all properties would utilize this option, and that some of these lots might eventually be created through other options, it is still the opinion of all staffs that this provision could have an unintended hazardous effect on the buffer - compromising the intent and purpose of the district. The staffs do recognize, however, the situations that the Committee was hoping to address in its provision. One means of addressing this concern might be the examination at staff level of methods toward this end that would not cause potential damage to the Rural Buffer. VA